Wyoming Gray Wolf Recovery Status Report

From: USFWS Wyoming Wolf Recovery Project Leader, Jackson, WY

Subject: Status of Gray Wolf Management in Wyoming and the NRM

WYOMING WOLF WEEKLY- Jan 25 through Feb 5, 2010

Web Address – USFWS reports (past weekly and annual reports) can be viewed at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . Weekly reports for Montana and Idaho are produced by those States and can be viewed on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website (http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf/default.html) and Idaho Department of Fish and Game website (http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves). All weekly and annual reports are government property and can be used for any purpose. Please distribute as you see fit.

Annual Reports
Montana and Idaho are working with the USFWS to complete the 2009 Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Annual Report which will be available by early March at: http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov .

Wolf information for the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks can now be viewed at their new website:http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/management/wolf/default.htmlDelisting Litigation Status
Oral arguments were heard in federal court in Cheyenne, WY on January 29 to address the state of Wyoming’s request that the USFWS accept the Wyoming Wolf Management Plan. A decision from Judge Allen Johnson is pending.

A hearing on the preliminary injunction request was held in Federal Court in Missoula, MT on August 31. Oral arguments were heard from the plaintiffs, U.S. Department of Interior, Montana, and Idaho. On September 8, the Federal Court denied the preliminary injunction motion filed by Defenders of Wildlife and others to stop the 2009 regulated gray wolf hunts in Idaho and Montana. However, in issuing his order, the judge indicated that his preliminary review of the overall delisting case raised questions about Service’s approach of conferring ESA protections to a “significant portion of the range” of a species, as opposed to designating the entire species as a threatened or endangered species. A hearing date for oral arguments has not been set, but is expected to be soon after legal briefs are completed in late January 2010.

Monitoring
The YNP wolf crew radio collared 6 wolves on 2/4/10 and 2 wolves on 2/5/10 during routine winter capture. Four of the wolves were specifically re-captured to replace old collars. Capture efforts were put on hold due to poor weather conditions, but will resume when conditions improve.

Idaho: Wolf hunting season is still open in parts of Idaho with a statewide quota of 220 wolves. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission extended the wolf hunting season until March 31 in units where quotas have not been reached. For the most current harvest status information, call 1(877)872-3190. The IDFG website that summarizes wolf hunting in Idaho can be viewed at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/wolf/quota.cfm

Control
Nothing to report at this time.

Research
Several packs in the Jackson area have been traveling beyond their normal winter home ranges. Last week, the Phantom Springs Pack (9 wolves: 5 adults/4 pups) traveled to YNP and then returned to GTNP earlier this week. The Pacific Creek Pack (14 wolves: 10 adults/4 pups) has spent much of January near Togwotee Pass and in the Gros Ventre drainage. The Buffalo Pack (22 wolves: 8 adults/14 pups) and Pinnacle Peak Pack (14 wolves: 8 adults/6 pups) have followed more normal winter movement patterns. The Buffalo Pack typically travels from GTNP to the Gros Ventre drainage and the Pinnacle Peak Pack remains on the National Elk Refuge.

Law Enforcement and Related Activities
After a 30-year career in law enforcement, Dominic Domenici (Resident Agent-in-Charge) retired from the USFWS on 31 December 2009. He will be sorely missed but we wish him the best in his retirement. Special Agent Tim Eicher (Cody) will serve as acting Agent-in-Charge until a permanent Agent is selected.

Outreach and Education
Jimenez spoke to an Elderhostel group at the Teton Science School on 1/20/10 and to Teton Science School teachers and graduate students on 1/28/10.

Further Information
To request an investigation of livestock injured or killed by wolves, please contact the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Wildlife Services at (307)261-5336.